Snails in tank

[libra04ts]

hi,

Would like to get some idea how to combat snails in the tank. I had bought a solution that would knock out the snails, but need to manually remove them from the tank. It's quite hard to remove them as they will be at the bottom of the tank with the gravels.

Any other methods to eliminate them? Any fish that would eat them? I got discus, tetra, cat fish. Any snail eater fish that can live with them?

Thanks.

[vt_snowman87]

indian dwarf puffer, usually comes in 1cm, sold at about $1 in most LFS.. they eat small snails and are very effective..

[Cross]

Dwarf puffers surely gets the job done only need one to clear out the tank in no time. Only concern is whether it will attack the discus

[terence]

I do not think dwarf puffers are compatible with discus..

[SGFrontosa]

Dwarf puffer or green puffer can help to remove the snails.
Once the job is done, you need to remove the puffer as well as it will nips the fins of other fishes.

[libra04ts]

Hi,

Thanks for your advices. Just wondering, is there other type of fish that can combat snails but at the same time can live with the rest of the fishes?

Thanks.

[Fingerling]

Hi Libra,

You can use Botia lohachata( YoYo loach)/ Botia macracanthus ( Clown loach) depending on your preference. Both species are more reliable to feed on snails than other loaches. If you have a smaller tank setup, id recommend you get the YoYo loach. Grows to a size of 7-13 cm and looks great in planted or non planted tanks. If you worry about aggression, get a group of 3-4 loaches and you will be fine ( they are not overly aggressive by nature )

Here are some links you can refer to
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile79.html
http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/lo.../yoyoloach.htm

If you have a bigger setup than go for the clown loach. Grows up to 50 cm in size, are more commonly available but have are more vunerable to catch whitespot disease. Then again if you worry about aggression, get a group.

Here are some links you can refer to
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile13.html
http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-ClownLoach.htm

Good luck. Hope this helps

[EddyTing]

I had a mini puffer in my 2ft with my cardinals and cory. Seems fine to me. Maybe because I feed it when the snails were cleared. I think as long as it has food, it'll leave your fishes alone.

[barmby]

Botia Striata

[aquanatix]

Great suggestions guys,botias seem to be a very good choice.I too am having snail problems,actually considering puffers but due to their nippy habits i have no faith in their ability to coexist with more peaceful fishes such as corydoras. My main problem is MTS or commonly known as the malayan trumpet snail.Got quite an infestation going on right now,even with reduced feeding etc their numbers are not dwindling.Anyone has any luck with the assasin snails?I've read quite abit regarding these critters but no actual feedback as to how they perform...Anyone?

[libra04ts]

Hi,

Thanks for info on Botia lohachata( YoYo loach)/ Botia macracanthus ( Clown loach). Have not try it out yet, Will read into the links provided and try it out. Will give some feedbacks once I tried.

Thanks for the info. If there are any other ideas, do keep them posted.

Thanks.

[barmby]

Note- clown loach can go alittle crazy and dig out the plants

[libra04ts]

Hi, have not tried the loach yet. Bought 2 mini puffer, but they died after 1 night. Maybe the puffers already sick when bought back. Haizz..

Any others have experience with Loach? or Botia Striata? How fast do they grow? Understand they can get quite large.

Thanks.

[barmby]

I bought my botia striata in Eco Culture, Lavender branch :P

It is 3 inches in length. That is the maximum length. One left. I keep in a 5 feet tank. Maybe with 6 feet tank or larger...the botia will grow bigger. But I doubt anyone is able to grow botia very big in captive.

[Jimmy]

where is eco culture located?

[barmby]

Eco Culture closed for good

[charonstix]

Great suggestions guys,botias seem to be a very good choice.I too am having snail problems,actually considering puffers but due to their nippy habits i have no faith in their ability to coexist with more peaceful fishes such as corydoras. My main problem is MTS or commonly known as the malayan trumpet snail.Got quite an infestation going on right now,even with reduced feeding etc their numbers are not dwindling.Anyone has any luck with the assasin snails?I've read quite abit regarding these critters but no actual feedback as to how they perform...Anyone?

My assasin snail took care of my snail problem, if you want you might want to get only 1 as they breed, then... you will create another snail problem!